Nic Sends Message With Opening Rout

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome North Idaho College to the Scenic West Athletic Conference title chase.

The Cardinals women’s basketball team smothered Utah Valley, a preseason SWAC favorite, 97-72, to open league play on Thursday night at Christianson Gym.

“That was sweet, with about seven Es,” said NIC coach Greg Crimp, whose club is 7-0 overall.

Australian import Tammy Goyne had all 19 of her points in the second half, nailing five 3-pointers, the last one in the final minute left Utah Valley coaches shaking their heads.

“They just weren’t defending it,” said Goyne, who came to NIC on the advice of friend Jane Hiatt, an Aussie playing guard at Washington State. Goyne had seven assists and three steals.

Goyne dropped in three 3s early in the second half in a span of 90 seconds as the Cards went in front 58-45.

“I can usually shoot,” Goyne said. “It felt good tonight.”

Shawna Rainer had 27 points and 10 rebounds. Reserve forward Ann Shepard, of Post Falls, added 10 points and 12 rebounds. Angie Dickson and Jana Nearing each scored 10 and Nearing had four of NIC’s 11 blocked shots.

Seemingly every Card contributed.

“I thought rebounding would be key and Ann really came in and did a nice job on the boards,” said Crimp, whose club entertains Salt Lake on Saturday night at 5:30. “It’s a team effort for us every time out.”

NIC sped in front 12-4 with a three baskets in a 40-second sequence. Nearing hit a jumper, then stole the ball and took a feed from Mandy Jacques for a layin. Teresa Viebrock’s steal and layin capped the run.

Dickson, in her first game back after suffering a knee injury early last season, drilled a 3-pointer on her first attempt. The Cards stretched the lead to 37-22 on a Viebrock jumper before Utah Valley rallied to trail 42-32 at half.

The Wolverines (5-4) were within 62-53 midway through the second half when NIC rattled off 13 straight points. Jacques hit a 3, Goyne made four free throws and Rainer scored a layin after a nice pass from Goyne.

NIC capitalized on Utah Valley’s aggressive defense by hitting 26 of 31 free throws. Every Wolverine player wears knee pads - unless they’re wearing knee braces - and they are necessary because the Wolverines apply pressure from the opening tip.

NIC had 20 turnovers but generally handled the heat. Utah Valley, led by Tirzah Church’s 17 points, had 26 turnovers.

North Idaho 97, Utah Valley 72

UTAH VALLEY (5-4, 0-1 SWAC) - Church 8-12 0-0 17, Mink 0-0 0-0 0, Pool 4- 11 2-2 11, Salea 5-10 2-4 12, Hunter 3-9 3-4 9, Duckworth 0-1 0-0 0, Ames 0-0 0-0 0, Hansen 4-16 4-4 12, Schaer 4-7 1-3 11, Roberts 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 28-66 12-17 72.

NORTH IDAHO (7-0, 1-0) - Jacques 2-8 2-2 7, Viebrock 2-3 1-4 5, Richards 1-8 5-5 7, Nearing 4-5 2-2 10, Rainer 11-21 5-5 27, Goyne 5-10 4-4 19, Dickson 3-7 3-4 10, Shepard 4-7 2-3 10, Jensen 0-0 0-0 0, Dowhy 0-0 2-2 2. Totals 32-69 26-31 97.

Half - NIC 42, UVSC 32. 3-point goals - UVSC 4-11 (Schaer 2-2, Pool 1-3, Church 1-4, Salea 0-1, Hunter 0-1), NIC 7-19 (Goyne 5-10, Dickson 1-4, Jacques 1-4, Richards 0-1). Total fouls - UVSC 27, NIC 21. Technical fouls - none. Fouled out - Mink, Hunter. Rebounds - UVSC 37 (Salea 9), NIC 40 (Shepard 12). Assists- UVSC 25 (Pool 11), NIC 26 (Goyne 7).

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